Three scientists have been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their contributions to computational protein design and protein structure prediction. The recipients, announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, are David Baker, an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) and the University of Washington School of Medicine, along with Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper from Google DeepMind.
At a press conference earlier today, Heiner Linke, Chair of the Nobel Committee in Chemistry, praised Baker’s work, stating, “This is the problem that David Baker solved. He developed computational tools that now enable scientists to design spectacular new proteins with entirely novel shapes and functions, opening endless possibilities for the greatest benefit to humankind.”
Erin O’Shea, President of HHMI, emphasized the impact of Baker’s pioneering work, reflecting, “David Baker’s revolutionary work in protein design has already opened the door to a vast number of new discoveries and medical therapies. He is an exemplary scientist, leader, and mentor who is demonstrating the power of basic scientific discoveries to make our world better.”
Understanding protein structures is critical, as a protein’s 3D shape is determined by atomic interactions and surrounding water molecules. Despite the vast number of potential shapes due to the complexity of protein folding, evolution has only utilized a limited subset. Baker and his team are focused on uncovering the principles that dictate protein folding to enable the design of new proteins from scratch.
Baker’s journey into protein folding began during his senior year at Harvard University, where he was intrigued by the topic despite initial discouragement from professors. This lifelong interest led him to establish his research lab at the University of Washington, where he developed Rosetta, a program launched in 1998 that accurately predicts the structures of small proteins based on their amino acid sequences. In 2004, he created a version accessible for home computers to allow the public to assist with calculations, ultimately leading to the popular online protein-folding game, Foldit.
Baker envisions global collaboration in scientific discovery, stating, “The dream is that people working together all around the world can make a significant contribution to science and global health.” Volunteers using Rosetta@home and Foldit have significantly aided his research.
In 2021, Baker’s team introduced RoseTTAFold, an innovative software tool leveraging deep learning to rapidly and accurately predict protein structures. This advancement allows for the determination of a protein’s structure in as little as ten minutes, a task that might traditionally take scientists years without such tools.
Baker’s research focus has broadened to include the design and creation of novel proteins, enabling the development of sequences unrepresented in nature. His team has successfully engineered proteins that combat the flu, catalyze chemical reactions, detect small molecules, and assemble into new materials, including a computationally designed vaccine for COVID-19.
Celebrated for his transformative contributions, Baker has been an HHMI Investigator since 2000, receiving multiple accolades including the 2021 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, the 2022 Wiley Prize in Biomedical Sciences, and the 2023 BBVA Foundation’s Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Biomedicine. Earlier this year, he was honored as one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in Health.
Baker is among 35 individuals affiliated with HHMI who have received the Nobel Prize, with the most recent prior laureate being Carolyn Bertozzi in 2022 for her work on click chemistry.
HHMI stands out as the largest private biomedical research institution in the nation, dedicated to advancing discoveries that enhance human health and our understanding of biology. In line with these goals, HHMI recently announced a $500 million investment to support AI-driven projects in life sciences over the next decade, based at its headquarters in Chevy Chase, Maryland.